Religion and Spirituality

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Walking

My year old grandson started walking last night. He was standing by my chair and just let go and walked over to Haylee who was about six feet away. Then he walked back.
Once he discovered what he was doing he would walk some 15 feet across the living room and back.

He was as excited as the rest of us. With each step he’ll grow more confident and steady and there will be no stopping him.

It’s an experience every parent and grandparent goes through.

It’s hard to imagine that Jesus went through it too.

After his birth and dedication the Bible says,

And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40

There was the day he rolled over on His own.
The day He started crawling and waving bye and hi.
Then the day came when He let go of the chair and walked across the room, much to the thrill and excitement of Joseph and Mary.

There was no stopping Him.
He kept on walking.

He walked Galilee and Judea.
He walked through Samaria and through the streets of Jerusalem.
He walked in the mountains and He walked on the water.

Then the day came when He walked to Golgotha and was crucified.

But death didn’t stop Him. He walked up to the devil and took the keys of death and hell. He walked out of the tomb. He walked among His disciples. He walked for forty days.
He walked to the Mount of Olives but He didn’t walk back down.
He ascended to heaven where He now sits at the right hand of Father.

And He has passed the walking over to you and me now!
It’s up to each of us to walk by His grace and walk by faith.

Abba, use my legs to carry me where You want me to go. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Singing Christmas

I love Christmas music, despite the fact that many times it doesn’t really deal with Christmas in my area of the country.

Still, I associate Christmas with sleigh bells, snow, chestnuts, and a red-nosed reindeer.

There are plenty of songs that deal with the true meaning of Christmas like the classics like Away in a Manger or Silent Night.

But being in Christian radio affords me the opportunity to hear what today’s artists are writing and singing. Many of those songs have also been rooted in me as a Christmas song.

Many Christmas songs seem to indicate the singing of the angels.
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plain.
But you cannot find anything in the Bible that says that the angels sing. What you do have is from the birth of Christ,

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14

Here the angels said their praise to God.

I believe singing praise to God may be left up to you and me. And if that’s true, then sing!

Sing your praise to God! Praise Him in a way that no other creature in all creation can.

Sing!

Abba, I will sing my praise of You. I will praise the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. YES&AMEN

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Pushing Others!

Last time I looked at Preceding Others and how you pave the way for someone else.

I had things happen to me but only until I gave my life to Jesus. It would have been easy to go the opposite direction. But I had teachers, grandparents, friends that pushed me to be better.

History is full of evil and villains that were mistreated as children and ended up being psychotic killers or ruthless dictators without conscience.

It’s really no excuse. Each person is responsible for their own actions, whether good or bad. You have the choice to overcome the bad done to you. You can overcome it. Too many have already.

Sometimes it takes someone to push you in a positive way. I admire people like Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen who do such a great job at encouraging others to move forward.
I believe the best encouragement comes from the Lord.

Even Jesus had that encouraging person to pave the way for Him.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

He pointed all of mankind to Jesus.

He could have said, “There’s another rabbi or preacher!”
But John pointed to Him as the Messiah – the Savior.

So how can you encourage someone today?
What can you say or do that will pull someone up and get their feet back on the ground?

Do it!

Abba, I just want to be a blessing to others. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Christmas Gift

Nearly every nativity scene contains three wise men. Though this story is not included in any other Gospel other than Matthew and follows immediately after the birth of the Christ.

It is unlikely that the Wise men showed up at the birth since the star was over a house and Jesus is called a young Child.

One thing for sure,

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matt 2:11

Of course, gifts are given at Christmas and justified by this story. More than that, the gifts are evidence of God’s provision.

The little family will be traveling to Egypt to escape the tyranny of King Herod, who orders the killing of all male children two-years old and under.

A trip to Egypt could not have been cheap; plus the time spent living there. Like you, they may have had some money to live day to day but a sudden trip is an extra expense. The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh could have been used to finance such a trip and stay.

God provides!

I have many stories of Him providing for us and I am not alone. I have heard many stories of providential provision.

I like to give gifts. I love to make someone happy with a small gift. But if I pray earnestly before getting a gift for someone, I would find myself getting a gift of provision by being led by the Holy Spirit.

Abba, Your gift of Salvation through the Babe of the manger is the best ever. YES&AMEN

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Christmas Trees Rejoice Before the Lord

There is a Christmas tree in my living room. It’s not a real tree, though I do love the smell of a fir.

We have lights on our tree and there are ornaments on it. Some of the ornaments are the baby pictures of me, my wife, children and grandchildren.

I’ve said previously that the lights remind me of the twinkling stars that shine in the night.

But is my tree a pagan symbol?
Many think so!

For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. Jer 10:3-4

This was not a Christmas tree in Jeremiah. Christ had not come. Were they worshipping the tree?
It’s likely. They also cut wood and stone and made little statues to worship.

I’ve cut wood and have made things but never worshipped them. Neither do I worship the Christmas tree.

What I am reminded of is that a tree got us in trouble and a tree got us out of trouble.

It was a tree that Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat it’s fruit. They did. It was called sin and it has affected everyone.

It was another tree that was cut down, put in the shape of a cross, and upon it was nailed the Son of God.
This act on the second tree took away the reproach of the first.

I often think how cruel people can be with what God had created; and I often wonder what kind of tree became the wood of the cross.

I think of how the Bible says,

The trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, 1 Chron 16:33

What a joy that the trees rejoice before the Lord. I rejoice before the Lord too!

Abba, all of Your creation is beautiful to me. I love the change of leaves in Autumn and I love the budding of green in Spring. I love the beauty of snow (or ice) on the pines around my home. I rejoice in your creation, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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It’s Christmastime

With the end of Thanksgiving and November, we enter the season of Christmas. Lights start appearing in neighborhoods and trees will soon be shining in living rooms.

You will hear ringing bells as you walk into stores and cards will begin arriving in the mail. Santa shows up at the mall and kids by the dozen will stand in line for their turn to sit on his lap and tell what they want for Christmas.

Christmas music is heard more often on the radio and there’s the hustle and bustle of shopping for gifts.

All these things say Christmas to me.

I love the smell of green Christmas trees and cinnamon spice.

I realize that Christmas is about the birth of Christ and I am reminded of it in all I see, smell, and hear.

Let’s start with the lights.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Luke 2:9

The lights are a reminder of the glory of the Lord shining around the shepherds as they hear the Good Tiding of great joy!

I look at my own Christmas tree and think of the stars in the heaven’s twinkling silently from light-years away and yet the Babe in the manger is the One that placed them there.

So don’t frown at the Christmas around you – embrace it and see Christ in all there is.

I’ll share some more thoughts about it next time.

Abba, I love Christmas and all that comes with it. I want to honor Jesus in all I do with Christmas, YES&AMEN

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A Great Deal!

It’s Black Friday and I know there are scores of people standing in line and fighting the crowds around the nation for a good deal on a gift.

We did it yesterday evening after the turkey was eaten and while the Dallas Cowboys were losing. We decided to go down and get a new TV so we could better watch the Cowboys lose! 😉

Linda and I stood in line for an hour talking to other shoppers. We were about a hundred in line according to one of the store managers that was doing a head count.
And the line kept on growing with around 300 by the time it was over.

Our line was for just one size TV. There were lines for many other things around the store.

I don’t know why this is called Black Friday when the stores make so much green!

But I’ll give you another deal – a Red Deal. And you don’t have to stand in line.
Even better – it’s FREE.

It’s salvation.

If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

I’ve noticed that this line is never crowded, though it should be.
There is no fighting to get a hold of it.
There are no tickets handed out.
And according to the verse, it’s well lit and you can still have fellowship with those around you.

You won’t find this deal in the sale paper because salvation is FREE and you don’t have to wait for it.
It can be yours now!

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:9-10

Abba, I have had many things over the years that have broke, been repaired, or I returned. Salvation is not one of them. Thank you for this free gift given to all, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Liberty in Christ

To set at liberty those who are oppressed; Luke 4:18

Liberty is freedom!

The Founding Father’s were all about liberty and freedom. Reading the Declaration and the Constitution will give you a real sense of the liberty they meant for all that live in these United States.

But liberty and freedom doesn’t not give people the right to loot, pillage, and destroy property.

There are laws pertaining to these crimes. There are thousands of laws pertaining to all kinds of crimes. Still people continue to freely disobey the law.

How can the death of a young black man by a policeman justify the burning of police cars and the stealing of television sets?

What people need is Jesus – not more protesting and rioting.

If you feel oppressed, it is Jesus that can give you liberty.

I am free to do anything – ANYTHING in Christ Jesus. But the Holy Spirit keeps my spirit in submission on what that anything is! I am not free to sin but am set free not to sin.

This country (and the world) needs the liberty of Jesus against oppression.

Abba, I pray for those that are oppressed by sin and seeking liberty through crimes, drugs, hurting themselves, suicidal tendencies, or excuses. I pray that I may deliver the message of deliverance to those I meet, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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God Still Saves

Sunday was a great day at Crossroads. I was honored to baptize a 73 year old man.

I’ve known Bobby for years, as he is Brock’s dad – Brock being my brother-in-law. Brock had been actively talking to his dad about salvation and often asked us at church to pray for him.

Last Wednesday, Brock’s mom passed away.

This devastated the family.

When another son, Brent, began talking with his dad about things, Bobby realized that he would never see Betty again, not here and not in eternity. With that thought came the reason why he would not see her – he was a sinner that had never given his heart to Jesus.

That changed last Saturday night when he asked Jesus for forgiveness and invited Him into his heart.

It is written,

if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:9-10

I am witness and testify that Bobby did exactly that! He confessed with his mouth and told me that he meant every word he prayed – he believed in his heart. He further made a public profession of his faith by being baptized.

It was a glorious day and a great reminder that GOD STILL SAVES!

Abba, I am blessed that Bobby gave his heart to You. I am thankful for the change I see in his family because of his decision. And I pray that his salvation will affect many others that need Jesus as Savior. YES&AMEN

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Born to preach and teach

Everyone has something they love to do – something they need to do. Something they were born to do.

You are born to do something and I hope you are doing it.

I have wanted to be a DJ on the radio since I was about 7 years old. Along the way I accepted Jesus as my Savior and then God called me into the ministry.

He also led me into radio broadcasting where I am a DJ.

I am also a pastor and have been for 15 years at my present church; preceded by 6 years at my former pastorate.

I have to talk. It’s what God has called me to do. It is what I love to do. I can take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul,

Yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Cor 9:16

He may have been saying that he had to preach the Gospel and would be reprimanded by God if he didn’t.
Or, like me, he may have been saying that it was his calling and he had to preach the Gospel – that it was a part of him. That it was his life!

For me, it is what I was born to do. To preach, teach, and talk about the Gospel.

Woe is me if I don’t.

Abba, I am blessed by the knowledge of Your word. I want to know more and share more with others. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN